Complete membership application on first page of association section and send dues to:

GTA, Membership Secretary/Treasurer

Holly Zerwig, P.O. Box 613, Metter, GA 30439

CORRESPONDENCE SECRETARY’S REPORT

Happy New Year everyone! The time is quickly approaching for the trapper’s competition. We just got back from our traditional New Year’s trek to the mountains. My mouth waters when I look at all that beautiful red fox country, pastures cut with bushy fence rows and small water ways! And speaking of small water ways, I can’t help but think of all the mink that must be cruising those tiny creeks. Looks like a trappers paradise to me!

Got into a conversation with a local who was complaining about otters in his pond, and told him I could help him out. This may just be the key to gaining access to some of those places I’ve been dreaming about.

I bet most trappers dream as they travel, about what they could catch out there in that pretty little pasture, the coons and stuff that must be running those drainages, all the otters swimming safely below the highway bridges, and just look at the beaver sign!

I aroused from a highway day-dream one night to find I was miles past my exit. That just meant I had to drive back over all of those tempting creeks running under the interstate for a second look!

I hope everyone has a healthy, happy 2013. For a trappers’ New Year’s resolution let’s all resolve to try to each bring in one new member to the GTA. There’s strength in numbers – and we can’t have too many. — Steve Rainey

LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

By the time ya’ll see this letter, we should be well into a great year of fur trapping. However, if the weather continues at its current 78 degrees we may be sitting on the beach with the family or trying to land a fish. If I must choose, I will take fur trapping in the 30’s over anything involving hotter days.

The other night I was talking with TK about some traps we both happen to be running this season and he got me to thinking so that I got out of bed and headed for the fur shop. This may sound somewhat foolish to some people (getting out of bed to go back to work in the shop); but like most passions, when it gets in your blood and grates on your mind, one must find a way to scratch that itch. Anyway, I went into my shop and began tinkering with these traps attempting to improve upon the already sloppy pan tension. I tried everything: tighten the nut and bolt, shim one side, shim both sides, etc., but nothing seemed to work. After two nights of complaining and tweaking, I found that like most things in life, “it is what it is.” I don’t care for that saying too much, but it fits for the moment.

It seems to me that we as human beings/trappers are always trying new things, but when it finally comes down to getting the job done we always go back to what works. Of course I’m going to try something new if it strikes my fancy and if nothing else I will at least try to become more efficient in my endeavors. Who wouldn’t, gas isn’t getting any cheaper. However, the problem it seems is that manufacturer’s are always trying to get the one up on one another causing we the consumer to take the new and improved bait, which more times than not turns out to be a waste of our hard earned money. Now don’t get me wrong, I have seen a few things come onto the scene in the past few years that warrant some positive feedback: ie some of ya’lls new fleshing techniques (messy, but effective) and Dog Proof traps. Fantastic at catching coon and excluding most other animals, except for me (once, long story). Both are new tweaks on an old task. Other than that, it seems to be the same basic methodology. Do what works and do it well.

I guess what I’ trying to say is that “the grass ain’t always greener” and “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” still applies to a lot of what we do in our trapping world. Listen to those trappers that have been around for awhile. Take what you know and what they are willing to give and put it into practice. Doing what works and committing time to task is going to pinch the pad and put fur on our boards. Stay the course boys, teach our children well and keep each other informed.

2 thoughts on “Georgia Trappers Association February 2013 Report”

Tyron,
Jerry Lee in Alma Georgia bought furs in the past; however, last season most all of the trappers in the association sent their furs to NAFA via a truck from Alabama. I am sure will do the same this season. He will probably pick up prior to the last sale. Check the T@P for shipping dates and times, or you can check with NAFA on the net for better info.
Lee